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What to do with old video games?

philosopher

Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2011
Messages
202
Ok, before I became born again, I used to play a lot of really crude and violent video games, which were a huge idol for me. I've stopped playing them completely, as thankfully God had convicted me and showed me how destructive they could be. However, I still have them lurking around my house, and am at a crossroads on what to do with them... I was considering just selling them and using the money earned to help people, or just tossing them out into the garbage. It's difficult to just toss out thousands of dollars worth of games, but I also don't want to make another person stumble, by some of the ungodly content in them. But, if they're not a Christian and going to by the game somewhere else, does it still matter? I have definitely concluded that (IF) I did sell them, the money would be used to help the unfortunate. Which is why I'm having a hard time making a descision here. Any advice would be appreciated?
 
What kind of Games.

What kind of Games?

PC games will value about nothing if you can actually sell them.

If they are console games, I would just take them to a Game exchange and see what they will give you for all of them.

If you don't plan on playing them anymore, then there is not reason to keep them around.

Jesus Is Lord.
 
What kind of Games?

PC games will value about nothing if you can actually sell them.

If they are console games, I would just take them to a Game exchange and see what they will give you for all of them.

If you don't plan on playing them anymore, then there is not reason to keep them around.

Jesus Is Lord.

Hi Mike, they're games for the Xbox 360, and unfortunately there isn't a game store to exchange them in, my small town. I was thinking about selling them online through Ebay or something.
 
umm.

Selling them on e-bay will be work, and you will have to ship them.

I know Best Buy in Canada will take them all and give you what you could probably sell them for on E-bay.

I counted at least 28 stores in the Ontario Area. Would be worth a trip to the nearest one if your going to unload all of them.

I would call the nearest store and find out the details, but looks like a pretty good deal.

Jesus Is Lord.
 
It's difficult to just toss out thousands of dollars worth of games, but I also don't want to make another person stumble, by some of the ungodly content in them. But, if they're not a Christian and going to by the game somewhere else, does it still matter? I have definitely concluded that (IF) I did sell them, the money would be used to help the unfortunate. Which is why I'm having a hard time making a descision here.


philosopher

I am pleased to hear that you are no longer interested in this evil garbage....and may you continue to grow in grace and find all your enjoyment in the Lord.

Regarding these games.........

Destroy them....

These games are in your own words ungodly.....yes it does matter that a non Christian might buy them.....they may lead them further down the road of destruction.

You have no control over who buys them...and the harmful effects it may cause.

Ask yourself this...would you tell the buyer why you are selling them.....(because you've repented of having them as they are so ungodly)

If you sell them to an unbeliever you are taking money from someone who is perishing in exchange for giving them ungodly poison. It would be dirty money/filthy lucre. The Lord has no interest in that type of money.

Ask the Lord.....He will lead you in making the right decision


But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9
 
philosopher

I am pleased to hear that you are no longer interested in this evil garbage....and may you continue to grow in grace and find all your enjoyment in the Lord.

Regarding these games.........

Destroy them....

These games are in your own words ungodly.....yes it does matter that a non Christian might buy them.....they may lead them further down the road of destruction.

You have no control over who buys them...and the harmful effects it may cause.

Ask yourself this...would you tell the buyer why you are selling them.....(because you've repented of having them as they are so ungodly)

If you sell them to an unbeliever you are taking money from someone who is perishing in exchange for giving them ungodly poison. It would be dirty money/filthy lucre. The Lord has no interest in that type of money.

Ask the Lord.....He will lead you in making the right decision


But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9

I would agree, especially if you are under conviction about it.
I faced the same delimma with music CD's after I got saved. I owned some of the most ungodly and vile music that you could imagine prior to my conversion, and after I become Born Again, I knew exactly what the Lord wanted me to do with the stuff. I still struggled with it for about two weeks until I eventually gave up and threw them in the garbage. I did the same thing will all of the pornographic magazines that I had collected.
Seek the Lord and He will tell you what to do.
 
You both make some very valid points as well. I don't think it would be wise to ignore this conviction, but I am going to pray about this fervently with the Lord tonight, and ask for some confirmation. Thanks a lot for the responses!
 
My Wish.......

First, we should never push are convictions on someone else. It's wrong, we are not the Holy Spirit.

1Co 10:29
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

philosopher

I already know what your suppose to do, but I did not mention it. I just gave you a place to possibly sell them.

There is nothing wrong with selling them. Nothing right about not selling them. They are just games, to be resold possibly, to give someone a better deal.

If someone buys your game, and it's a bad game (There are many fine games) We can't be their Holy Ghost, the Game is not cursed, it's just a game. They would get it from somewhere else.

That is not the issue though. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See, it's this praying about, and seeking, and looking for something else to go against what we know. That will cost you, and keep you dull in hearing.

Look at Balaam

What did God tell Him.?

Num 22:12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

Is Balaam confused about his Conscience, and what is right?

Sounds like Balaam already knows what to do. No need to pray about that. God told him not to GO. Balaam's Conviction told him not to Go, Balaam's conscience Told him not to Go.........


NOW WATCH..........

Num 22:18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.

Num 22:19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.

See what Balaam said? I got to pray more about this. I just got to make sure, I need confirmation. So stay the night, let me pray some more.

What you said philosopher

God had convicted me and showed me how destructive they could be.
but I also don't want to make another person stumble, by some of the ungodly content in them.
I don't think it would be wise to ignore this conviction, but I am going to pray about this fervently with the Lord tonight, and ask for some confirmation
Look what God does now.

Num 22:20
And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

Num 22:21
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ***, and went with the princes of Moab.

Num 22:22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ***, and his two servants were with him.

God just gave Balaam over to his own thinking. The men never called him, the men never came to him again, they spent the night. Balaam misheard because he did not obey the first time, but kept asking. He saw that as a Go ahead to just go with them.

When we are slow to act on what we already know is right for us, we become dull to the Holy Spirit, and that is where we get off the path, allow things we thought God said was finally OK.

===============

So, I told you a great place to check to sell them.
You said it was 1,000's worth of Games, no need to waste all that money if you can put it to good use right?
Just to make double sure on what to do, pray some more about it, make sure it's God. Just like Balaam did.


I am sure Balaam had plans also for the money, but it ended up costing him his life.

Act 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.


Jesus Is Lord.
 
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You both make some very valid points as well. I don't think it would be wise to ignore this conviction, but I am going to pray about this fervently with the Lord tonight, and ask for some confirmation. Thanks a lot for the responses!

philosopher

I thank the Lord that you are praying fervently about this matter.

I know that the Lord will lead you as He says in His Word:

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Bless you brother
 
Philosopher, Brother Mike has some valid points; can I add that the amount you would sell your games for could buy many food parcels for the disadvantaged or even sponsor a few children for a year in third world countries. Just something to ponder on.
 
so if you want to stop playing games then sell them.
people who buy games will buy them elsewhere regardless do all the christians in planet sell their games..... so i wouldnt worry about that.

God bless...
 
In this situation, I have to agree with Fragrant on this. I was in a similar situation, two times (examples).

1. It was in regards to relatives owning convenience stores that sell lottery (gambling) and cigarettes (cancerous death). Was it right for them to sell these things even though customers can get them elsewhere? NO. Would you *try* to sell these to Jesus or even offered these to Him for free? No you wouldn't.

Same with the games.

2. My past "memorabilia" of music artists. I had collectibles for my ex-favorite secular band, Guns N' Roses. Posters, vinyl records, shirts, jackets, etc. Stuff I could have gotten a decent amount of money for on eBay. Instead, garbage. Threw them all away. They are junk.

Being a disciple Christ, we're supposed to spread the Gospel - the GOOD NEWS - not worldly things such as secular games, music, drugs, etc.

GOD is not mocked. Whatsoever you reap, you sow. If your conviction is telling you something is not right, listen. For example, you should have complete peace that transcends all understanding (this peace comes from GOD alone) when you have done the right thing after your conviction.

Another dilemma example: say you have children who play video games. Would you allow them to play secular, demonic kind of games? Would you allow an adult to sell them to your children without your consent, out of your concern? I wouldn't.

Money is not important over a person's soul and eternal destination. The first and foremost thing we share, give and spread is the love of Christ through the Gospels written in the Word.
 
if you need money just sell. theres no negative impact on the world on your action.
its just a drop in the ocean.

i know some one can stumble over video games (use too much time for them) but if you dump those games to trash can it wont really help anybody. people will always get their games.
and everyhouse thesedays have some sort of video games.
 
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Well, I've thought long and hard about this my friends, and believe I need to go with the original conviction that God gave me to throw the games out. The Holy Spirit really moved on me while reading your post Chad, and I am convinced that it is the right thing to do. Mike, your example with Balaam resonates with my life very deeply as I, too, have done this ''double-checking'' with God and am now very guilty. I'm sorry Lord Jesus, please forgive me.

What I didn't mention to begin with is that about four months ago, the same conviction came upon my heart, and I actually DID toss out the games and bad movies. However, the next morning my brother and dad (whom are atheists) grabbed them out of the garbage and insisted that they will keep them. Bear in mind, I payed for all of them. I should have been more firm at that point, and just disposed of them at a different location, but I whimped out and basically said ''fine you can keep them''. Just lately as I have been getting closer to God again, the same conviction has arisen and this time I don't want to disappoint God.

So, again, thanks for all your help in deciding this issue!
 

Well, I've thought long and hard about this my friends, and believe I need to go with the original conviction that God gave me to throw the games out.


But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1 Corinthians 1:30


This is good news to hear and a wonderful testimony of the Lord working within those who believe.

How wonderfully the Lord gently and patiently leads us to follow His ways.


Bless you philosopher


I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep
John 10:14
 
i hope your not mixing conviction and guilt brother.
those are two different things and guilt is not from God.
Holy spirit may however convict us in God's grace to do the right thing without condemnation.
 
Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing. - Deuteronomy 7:26


Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. - Acts 19:19
 
Victory!!!

I only know the Lesson of Balaam to well Brother. I have cost myself, my health in areas for "Needing to pray more about it, and hoping for some compromise."

When we have a direction, conviction, conscience about something, it's not the time to pray, but to act and be firm. Praying about it is dangerous.

God is more than able to get us on track if needed, but not if we ignore the main way he speaks to us, through our own heart and conscience.

I wrote a bible study about this very subject...... It goes into some details.

http://www.talkjesus.com/bible-study-hall/40782-your-conscience-staying-your-course.html

Jesus Is Lord.
 
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